Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence NebojÅ¡a Stefanović, PhD, attended the signing of the contract between the Ministry of Defence and the “Yugoimport-SDPR” company to procure “Lazar 3” 8×8 combat vehicles. According to Minister Stefanović, the procurement of domestically produced new generation equipment for Serbian armed forces continues and this is a contract worth 3.7 billion dinars. The “Lazar” procurement contract was signed by Colonel Aleksandar Cakić from the Procurement and Sales Department (Material Resources Sector, Ministry of Defence) and the Associate Director of the Public Enterprise “Yugoimport-SDPR”, Aleksandar Lijaković.
On this occasion, Minister Stefanović visited the “Complex Combat Systems” production facilities in Velika Plana where “Lazar”, “Nora” and “MiloÅ¡” combat vehicles are produced, and was presented with key stages in the production process, work results and future production plans. Serbian armed forces units will get new MiloÅ¡ vehicles in a few weeks’ time. Serbia continues to modernize its armed forces and wants to develop new military equipment for local use but also for the international military market. Recently, the Serbian army has acquired Milosh 4×4 armored vehicles and T-72B1MS main battle tank from Russia also nicknamed “White Eagle”.
The Lazar 3 is the latest generation of 8×8 APC (Armoured Personnel Carrier) in the Lazar vehicle family. The layout of the Lazar 3 IFV is very similar to Lazar 2, with the driver and commander position located in the front left side of the hull with the engine on the right side. The vehicle can carry a total of 12 military personnel including commander, driver, gunner and 9 soldiers. The LAZAR 3 was unveiled in February 2017 during the defense exhibition IDEX 2017 which was held in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The Lazar is available in IFV (Infantry Fighting Vehicle) variant used to carry infantry into battle and provide direct fire support with a 30mm automatic cannon and anti-tank guided missiles.
The Lazar 3 has a ballistic protection Level 3 STANAG 4569 against firing of small arms 7.62×51mm caliber AP (Amor-Piercing) at 30 meters and anti-mine protection levels 3a and 3b STANAG 4569, mine explosion pressure-activated under any wheel or track location (Level 3a), mine explosion under center (Level 3b). On request, the Lazar 3 IFV can be fitted with additional armor to increase ballistic protection all-around the hull to Level 4 STANAG 4569 against the firing of small arms 14.5×114mm AP / B32 at 200 meters.The Lazar 3 IFV is motorized with a Cummins ISM500 developing 500 hp. the vehicle can run at a maximum speed of 110 km. The power train is accommodated in the front right side of the vehicle in a protected space completely separated from the crew.
